Quick hits: NFL flavour at the World Cup and Osito the dog charms fans

Scotland feels hard done by in their defeat against Morocco, Canadian star Ismaël Koné has vowed to return after his sickening leg break, and a former NFL legend is on hand to photograph as the son of another of the NFL alumni cohort scores for his country.

Here are the quick hits for today's action at the World Cup.

1. Scotland bemoan penalty calls

Scotland played desperately well against Morocco despite falling to a 1-0 defeat.

The Scots were left disappointed after not being denied two possible penalties in the second half, when John McGinn and Scott McTominay went down in the box.

"There were one or two decisions that I'm not too sure about," Scotland coach Steve Clarke said.

"I thought the John McGinn one was more a penalty [than the Scott McTominay one]. On another day somebody could give that.

"It's the same with the yellow card for the defender when Che Adams is going clean through on goals. On another day that could be a red."

Clarke was backed up by former FIFA referee Christina Unkel, who told UK TV network ITV that Scotland should have been awarded a spot kick for the McTominay incident.

"I think it is a penalty kick," Unkel said on ITV.

"It's a simple foul, there's contact at the knee position and there's another angle that suggests there might be a step on the left boot."

That being said, ex-Ireland captain Roy Keane and former Socceroos boss Ange Postecoglou disagreed on that same broadcast.

2. Canada's Koné vows to return after surgery on double leg-break

Canadian star Ismaël Koné has undergone surgery after breaking the tibia and fibula in his left leg during his team's win over Qatar.

The 24-year-old Koné was hurt during a tackle from behind by Assim Madibo during the 51st minute of the 6-0 win.

Madibo received a red card and apologised in person to Koné after the game.

The Qatari FA social media accounts also posted a message saying "get well soon" to the Sassuolo midfielder.

"You can't even imagine how grateful I am to everyone who reached out and that has me in their prayers," Koné posted on Instagram.

"To Canadian brothers, as I turned myself into [an] assistant coach to support you from the sideline. I wanted you to know that I love you guys from the bottom of my heart and our brotherhood is everything to me," he added.

"What you guys did yesterday will stay with me forever. I'll be back very soon and we'll keep making more memories together."

3. NFL star an accredited photographer for the World Cup

Former NFL All-Pro Marshawn Lynch has become an accomplished photographer in his retirement and he can now add "credentialed World Cup photographer" to his resume, thanks to his appearance at the United States' 2-0 victory over Australia on Friday.

Lynch, a former running back who racked up 6,381 yards and 58 touchdowns on the ground as a member of the Seattle Seahawks, was back in Seattle Stadium to shoot the United States' second World Cup victory in as many games.

The five-time Pro Bowler, who also played for the Buffalo Bills and Raiders during a 12-year career that resulted in over 10,000 career rushing yards, was also seen delivering a pre-game speech to fans outside the stadium.

Lynch, 40, has been a credentialed photographer since at least last August, when he was spotted throwing a stiff arm to protect his camera during a preseason content between Seattle and the Las Vegas Raiders.

He was also seen rubbing elbows with several celebrities on hand, including NBA star Devin Booker as he watched the son of another former NFL star, Alex Freeman headed the ball into the net to help the USA to a 2-0 win over the Socceroos.

His father, Antonio Freeman, played nine NFL seasons, mostly with the Green Bay Packers as a favourite target of quarterback Brett Favre.

They won the Super Bowl together after the 1996 season, with Freeman hauling in an 81-yard touchdown pass from Favre that gave the Packers the lead for good against the New England Patriots.

4. Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi to stand trial for rape

Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi lost an appeal and will stand trial on rape charges in France.

An appeals court in Versailles concluded that there was sufficient evidence for Hakimi, 27, to stand trial, according to a statement provided to The Athletic on Friday.

Hakimi has denied any wrongdoing since being charged in March 2023. A 24-year-old woman alleged he assaulted her in February 2023, according to previous reports.

The Paris Saint-Germain fullback, who is part of Morocco's squad at the World Cup, said he was looking forward to the opportunity to clear his name.

"Justice looked me in the eyes and said to me: 'If you weren't famous, there never would have been a case,'" Hakimi posted Friday on X, translated from French.

"I chose to remain silent for years. I thought that staying dignified, being patient, and trusting the justice system would allow the right decisions to be made.

"Today, a story that is not mine is being told at the expense of my family, my life, and above all, the truth. Sometimes I feel like I've become an easy target.

"I've been waiting for this trial since day one. And now I'm looking forward to it. Finally, I will be able to speak."

No trial date has been set for Hakimi, who played the full 90 minutes in each of Morocco's first two World Cup matches, including a 1-0 win over Scotland on Friday in Foxborough.

Morocco concludes its Group C action against Haiti on Wednesday in Atlanta.

5. Osito the Mexican bicycling dog

As World Cup fever sweeps Mexico City, one of the tournament's biggest fan favourites isn't a player, coach or official mascot.

Joining Merlin the duck in the pantheon of heart-stealers is Osito, an eight-year-old rescue poodle mix who has become an unlikely sensation after arriving at Mexico's opening match perched on the back of a cargo bicycle, dressed in a Mexico jersey, sunglasses and a cap.

As thousands of fans streamed toward the stadium last week for the tournament opener, many stopped to snap photos, pat the dog and post videos online.

Within hours, Osito was appearing on international broadcasts and spreading across social media, transforming the bicycle-riding dog into one of the World Cup's most charming viral stars.

The partnership began when his owner, Jorge Rangel, placed the dog in a delivery box attached to his bicycle and took him for a short ride — and Osito seemed to enjoy it.

"He has a very gentle temperament. Everybody wants to meet him," Rangel said.

When the World Cup arrived, Rangel saw an opportunity to introduce Osito — whose name means "little bear" — to an even larger audience.

A devoted soccer fan, he spent weeks preparing for the tournament, gathering accessories and adapting a pair of sunglasses to fit the dog. He dressed Osito in a national team jersey and decorated the bicycle, hoping to stand out among the crowds heading to the stadium.

"It exceeded all my expectations," Rangel said of the response.

ABC/wires

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